Alright, so, we're heading to Bern. Let's talk about Bern for a bit, shall we? They're over in the southeast. If you remember, we went across their borders very shortly back in Lyn's Mode when we were heading from Sacae to see BB's granddaddy. They've got a lot of military power, but thankfully they're also on friendly terms with Lycia... or at least they
were. Lately, the King of Bern (Desmond) has been kind of strutting his stuff and flaunting his army and no one's quite sure entirely what it means but it's probably not great.
As a result, Lycian nobles haven't really felt safe traveling there, so Green, NotJim, and BB all put on
disguises before we begin the trek to the Shrine of Seals.
<Athena> Welp, this is Bern.
<Green> Seems pretty happy. Is there some kind of festival going on?
<Skyleaf> Prince Zephiel of Bern will be having his coming-of-age ceremory in a few days, so the people are celebrating. He's a very popular young prince.
<NotJim> So, we've crossed into the border... now what? Where is this Shrine located, anyway?
<Hawkeye> I know it's somewhere in the north, but the exact location is something of a secret. Only the royal family knows exactly where it's located.
<BB> Sweet! We'll just ask them.
<Green> Dude, did you forget we're in disguise? How are we supposed to meet with the royal family as a bunch of commoners in shitty robes?
<BB> Oh... right...
<Pent> I might be able to help out a bit. Etruria has good relations with Bern, so I at least know it's general location. We actually sent a few scouts to try and find it, but none of them have returned.
<Luis> That's... foreboding.
<Pent> We think they were probably captured.
<Green> So if we go to find this Shrine, we might also get captured...
<NotJim> ... and they might penetrate our amazing disguises and figure out who we are.
<Pent> And if that happens, Bern may use it as an excuse to invade Lycia.
<Everyone> :O!
<Pent> Thankfully, like I said, I think I can help out. Louise and I are actually scheduled to attend this ceremony for Zephiel. His mom, Queen Hellene, is from Etruria and happens to be a distant relative of mine. I think I'll plan an audience with her and... discreetly ask about the Shrine. I'm not sure how much she'll share with us, but it's a starting place at least.
<Green> Sweet! Thanks.
<Pent> I should be back sometime tomorrow with news. But if something happens and I don't return... fall back to Lycia and come up with a new plan, alright?
<Robin> What would happen if you don't return? :<
<Pent> It wouldn’t be a bad life, really. Abandoning my position… Living on the run with Louise…
<TGK> Well, we'll be hoping for the best for you. >.>
Meanwhile, in the town to the north...
<Linus> Ohhey, Nino.
<Nino> Linus! Lloyd! 'Sup, boys? <3
<Lloyd> Oh, working on a job, the usual.
<Nino> Me too! I'm running errands for mother and it's ever so fun. :3 We should get together and hang out once we're free again. Take care, guys! <3 *flees*
<Linus> Awww... such a sweetie she is. I really can't believe that witch is her mom...
Meanwhile, back with the gang, waiting for Pent and Louise to come back....
<Green> Man, I'm so sick of waiting. Isn't there someone I can punch? >_<
<Legault> Well, you could try looking for information on the Black Fang while you're here. Theyré headquartered in Bern, after all.
<NotJim> That's not a bad plan.
<BB> Let's start by asking in this village to the north, come on!
...
<Lloyd> *whispers* Hey, aren't those the guys we were supposed to kill?
<Linus> *whispers* I thought they were supposed to be in the desert or something. What are they doing here?
<Lloyd> I dunno, I think we ought to go off and report about it to dad before we do anything, though.
<Linus> You do that, I'll stay here and watch them.
<Lloyd> Sweet! *flees*
<Linus> Of course, watching is boring... I'd rather taunt and kill them. Igor, come here and help me!
<Igor> But didn't Lloyd just say...
<Linus> Yeah, yeah, who cares. You don't want to look like a Feline, do you?
<Igor> Of course not!
<Linus> Then go do some taunting!
<Igor> *runs up* Hey, you guys are Green and NotJim, right?
<Green> What's it to you?
<NotJim> Hey, you're Black Fang!
<Igor> Yep! And we're led by one of the Four Fangs himself, Linus the Mad Dog!
<Green> Woohoo! A fight! \o/
Black Fang assassins began to pour out of the woodwork as we quickly prepared for battle. Vom grabbed a nearby sword and a spare Orion's Bolt to use before things started.
Vom is now a Nomad Trooper! Most of our party moved to the north to try to find and take out this so-called "Mad Dog", but Cypher, Luis, and Jabber moved to the east to try and warn a local village. The old man that greeted them was so grateful that he gave Cypher an Earth Seal that he was immediately able to use and promote.
Cypher is now a Wyvern Lord!
To the north, we slowly moved together, taking out enemies as we went, and visiting the few shops we saw. PP found a local arena and spent a few rounds in the, dodgetanking like a boss and earning up some good funds for our little army. Robin and Cypher both flew out across the lake to take out some of the wyvern riders and pirates that were forming there.
Eventually, Linus was in sight. Skyleaf, TGK, and Vom all worked together to take him out, but he wasn't quite dead. Like all good bosses, he had to gloat for a bit.
<Linus> You guys are good... too good... maybe I should have listened to my brother... but... I will not die quite so easily... *slips up to NotJim and holds a knife to his throat* I will take you with me!!
<NotJim> lolkay
<Linus> Huh? Aren't you scared? o_o;
<NotJim> During the fight, I couldn't help but notice that you kept the villagers out of harms way.
<Linus> Of course; we don't want to hurt them, just you.
<NotJim> So you fight with honour. So let me ask you this... why are you trying to kill us?
<Linus> Because... you're evil! Sonia said so! And father...
<Green> We're evil? Really? That's the best you've got? Does this woman always keep you on a leash?
<Linus> Bah! None of this makes any sense. I'm going to retreat for now, try and figure some of this crap out. *flees bleedingly*
<BB> Wow, NotJim, that was super brave of you.
<NotJim> Nah, I knew he wouldn't kill. I only peed myself a little bit.
<Green> That bit about the villagers, and many of them spoke kindly of the Black Fang too... I'm beginning to think they're being used and manipulated by Keeper somehow.
<Jabber> One of the villagers was dressed in Black Fang garb but talked to me instead of attacking me. He seemed to believe that this Sonia woman was behind all of the changes.
<Green> Looks like we ought to talk to the real head, then. Brendon Reed. Come on, let's get back to camp!
Meanwhile, at the end of the trail of Linus's blood...
<Linus> Man, this sucks... I really need to talk to my bro... he really needs to know not to trust that woman...
<Limstella> ... ... ...
<Linus> Ohshi- where did you come from? I... urgh... I've blundered... Lloyd.... I'm sorry....
<Limstella> ... ... ... >:3
Meanwhile, at Bern Manse...
<Desmond> Hey wife, where's my son?
<Hellene> Oh, Zephiel? He's out practicing his falconry.
<Desmond> You did this on purpose, didn't you? Send him away before you knew I was coming?
<Hellene> :3
<Desmond> *sigh* No matter, I guess I'll talk to you instead. His coming-of-age ceremony is soon you know.
<Hellene> Of course I know! I've been counting down the days until my precious son will be announced as your proper and true heir, even though he and myself, your lawful wife and queen, have been languishing away in this manse while you keep that mistress of yours in the palace.
<Desmond> Oh please, I treat you and the boy very well, don't whine like you're being abused.
<Hellene> Oh, it's of no consequence to me. No matter how much you dote on that woman and the illegitimate daughter she gave to you, it is MY son who will the throne, with the noble blood of Etruria in his veins. He's such a smart and brave and fearless and handsome and lovely boy and everyone loves him! "Princess" Guinevere will languish in the shadows while my beautiful Zephiel rules all of Bern! Mwahahahahaha!!
<Desmond> Hey, hey, shut up, I'm the one that's the evil dude here. You'll give the reader's a bad impression.
<Hellene> >:\
<Desmond> Besides, I actually did want to tell you about something. Someone stole the Fire Emblem from the palace last night.
<Hellene> Oh, please. You expect me to believe that? It's only the most heavily guarded treasure of all of Elibe AND the namesake of this whole flipping game series. You're just saying this as an excuse so that you won't have to crown my precious son. After all, everyone knows you can't have a coming-of-age ceremony without the Fire Emblem, obviously.
<Desmond> Well, you can choose to believe or you can go to the castle and find out for yourself. Rage as much as you want, but it really was stolen which means no ceremony.
<Hellene> My poor Zephiel.... :<
<Desmond> *leaves*
<Steward> My lady, you have a visitor.
<Hellene> I don't care. I don't want to see anyone. >:|
<Louise> Not even me and Lord Pent? <3
<Hellene> Louise! <3
<Louise> You look so sad, my lady... what is troubling you?
<Hellene> Well, you see...
Many hours later, outside of town...
<Green> Ohhey, Pent and Louise are back. 'Sup? Any news?
<Pent> Well.... good news and bad news.
<Louise> The good news is that the Queen will tell us as much as she knows, but the bad news is that we have to run a bit of an errand for her first. If we find what she wants within 10 days, she'll talk.
<Green> Guess we don't have much of a choice, then, do we....